ATV Crash at Marshall/Graves County Line on Harrison Road

WMFD responded to another ATV crash in the area of the Marshall/Graves County Line at the intersection of Harrison and Wadesboro Road.  Units on scene found ATV in a ravine and a subject with leg injuries.  Units assisted Marshall County EMS with patient stabilization and scene lighting.

Units responding:  Rescue 81, Engine 80, Brush 81, Brush 82

Two Vehicle Collision on Mayfield Highway

WMFD units responded to a two vehicle crash on Mayfield Highway west of Harvey on Thursday morning.  Units found a van with multiple passengers and a passenger car with a driver only involved in a offset head-on collision.  Units provided medical care and traffic support.

Units responding:  Engine 82, Brush 81, Support 8

Refrigerated Liquid Nitrogen Leak on Purchase Parkway

Units responded to the 37 mile marker on the Purchase Parkway in response to a call from Kentucky State Police regarding a semi-tanker leaking nitrogen and forming a vapor cloud in the roadway.  Units arrived on scene to find the tanker leaking a small to moderate amount of liquid nitrogen onto roadway and a vapor cloud approximately 100 feet in diameter.

Units performed thawing techniques to free a frozen leaking valve and the leak was stopped in approximately 20 minutes after fire department arrival.

Units responding:  Engine 82, Brush 81, Brush 82

Wildland Firefighting

Again, I don't like to ramble on about things, but this incident has been on my mind and many others for several days.  Wildland firefighting, we as firefighters have always considered the "lowest of the low risk" when it comes to calls.  I know of some people who consider wildland fires almost enjoyable, and to their defense they get an opportunity to fight real fire and spray water while statistically there is minimal risk to life and property.  In Marshall County we're blessed to have a large amount of residential area and a lower amount of woodland area.  Combine that with our regular high moisture and lack of
significant wind forces, we're constantly dodging the bullet on the "big one" when it comes to wildland fires.  However, with all that said we must not let our guards down as to the dangers involved with fires that we consider insignificant or unimportant.  Remember the basics in wildland firefighting, such as wearing our protective equipment, ensuring any equipment being used is in proper working order before we engage in operations, our environment and surroundings, the elements of the weather, especially humidity and fuel moisture contents.  And finally, know how to read a fire and how it is spreading, and fight from the "black" (aka the burned area) when you can.  Sometimes you'll have to make an offensive move and fight from unburned area, but be extremely careful when/if you do.

The picture with this post is the last photograph of the Hotshot crew preparing to battle the fire that claimed their lives.  Let's all remember that no matter what the call the dangers are still real and do exist and we must always practice safety and if anything let lessons be learned.  May our wildland firefighting brothers rest in the arms of God.

Rescue 81

It's not quite ready for service today, but let us introduce Rescue 81 to our truck lineup.  This apparatus was purchased approximately two months ago and we received it last weekend.    We will be equipping this truck during the next few weeks and will hopefully be responding by mid-august at the latest.

ATV Crash on Lee Burd Road

On Friday, June 28th, West Marshall units responded to a report of an ATV that had crashed in a ditch on Lee Burd Road, near the Graves County Line.  First units arrived on scene to find an ATV in a creek alongside the roadway with a subject in the water unable to move.  WMFD units entered creek and found the subject had significant injuries but was alert.  Units immobilized subject and with the use of a rescue (stokes) basket removed the subject from the creek.  A Landing zone was established uphill from the scene and the patient was transported by PHI Air Medical.  West Marshall Fire was assisted by Marshall County EMS, Marshall County Sheriff and PHI Air Medical. 
Units responding:  Engine 80, Engine 82, Brush 81

Jon and Jason's Truck Inspection Trip

Jonathan and Jason both flew to Florida to inspect our next truck this weekend and have arrived back home safely. They report the truck as being in fantastic shape, and we will expect to see the truck in a few weeks. Here are some photos from the trip.

Abandoned Structure Fire on Symsonia Highway

On Tuesday May 21, West Marshall units responded with Benton Fire units to the 2000 Block of Symsonia Highway in reference to an abandoned mobile home on fire.  WMFD arrived first on scene reporting a fully involved structure with heavy smoke.  WMFD and BFD units suppressed the fire and fire in nearby wooded area immediate to the structure.

Units responding: Engine 82, Engine 83, Tanker 81, Brush 81

The Maltese Cross

I don't reminisce very well and usually I don't get too involved in history and tradition, but I want to take a minute to try to impress upon people, including our own people, what being a firefighter is really about.  I know we all feel like it's simply throwing on the pager, running to calls and listening to me gripe at you during training, and it may really sometimes feel like it.  But on the flip side, everyone needs to remember what you are a part of, and how far things have came from where this started to where we are now.  Sure we may worry about cleaning trucks and sweeping floors at the station, but it's about honor and courage and the respect for your fellow man that keeps you coming back to help people that may not even thank you, or even care.  Every time you look around the station you see this emblem, and even though I didn't write this, I want you to read it and remember the sacrifices that were made for this emblem to mean what it really means.

The Maltese Cross is symbolic in meaning, and it dates back to the 12th Century.  When a courageous band of crusaders known as the Knights of St. John, fought the Saracens for possession of the holy land, they encountered a new weapon unknown to European warriors. It was a simple, but a horrible device of war; it brought excruciating pain and agonizing death upon the brave fighters for the cross. The Saracen's weapon was fire.  As the crusaders advanced on the walls of the city, they were struck by glass bombs containing naphtha.   When they became saturated with the highly flammable liquid, the Saracens hurled a flaming torch into their midst. Hundreds of the knights were burned alive; others risked their lives to save their brothers-in-arms from dying painful, fiery deaths.  Thus, these men became our first firefighters and the first of a long list of courageous firefighters.
Their heroic efforts were recognized by fellow crusaders who awarded each here a badge of honor - a cross similar to the one firefighter's wear today. Since the Knights of St. John lived for close to four centuries on a little island in the Mediterranean Sea named Malta, the cross came to be known as the Maltese Cross.  The Maltese Cross is your symbol of protection. It means that the firefighter who wears this cross is willing to lay down his life for you just as the crusaders sacrificed their lives for their fellow man so many years ago. The Maltese Cross is a firefighter's badge of honor, signifying that he works in courage - a ladder rung away from death.

More FDIC

Here are some more highlights of FDIC.  It is not for everyone as it is very draining, but we definitely had good reason to be there to examine rescue equipment to get the best equipment and for the best price.  Here are some more pics and videos of things we experienced.

Ricky Sirls either inspecting a truck or napping.

The future for pump panels?

FDIC Continued

Here are some more pictures and videos from FDIC in Indianapolis.

FDIC

Here's a quick update from FDIC in Indianapolis, IN.  Tons of exhibits and we have found even more information from vendors especially in regards to equipment related to our grant awards.  Many good and some not so good extrication demonstrations and information.  Its a lot of walking and my feet are killing me!  Here is a video of the pipe and drum ceremony kicking off the exhibition.

Two Vehicle MVA on Vanzora Road

West Marshall units responded to Vanzora Road in reference to a 2 vehicle MVA with entrapment.  Units on scene reported two vehicles with one involving entrapment.  WMFD performed approximately 22 minute extrication and established a helicopter landing zone for PHI Air Medical, who later transported the patient to Deaconess in Evansville.  Units remained to perform traffic control assistance and cleanup.

Units responding: Engine 800, Engine 802, Brush 82, Brush 1201, Pumper 1205

Anhydrous Ammonia Leak Call on Bondurant Lane

This evening West Marshall Fire Department responded to a call of an agricultural anhydrous ammonia tank leaking in a field near a residence on Bondurant Lane.  Units on scene found a tank leaking a moderate amount of fluid.  One house was evacuated that could smell the anhydrous and a perimeter established.  Units approached the tank under protective conditions and closed a partially open valve.  No injuries are reported.

Units responding:  800, 802, 803, 804, Brush 82, Brush 81, Support 81, 1205

West Marshall Fire Department

After years of planning and the hard work of many people, the merger of the Harvey-Brewers Fire Department and the ENO Fire Department has been finalized.   Effective April 16, 2013, the Harvey-Brewers Fire Department & Elva, New Harmony, and Oak Level Fire Departments are merged and now referred to as the West Marshall Fire Department.  It will take some time to complete the transition to one system of government, but operationally we’ve been functioning as one Fire Department for quite some time.

As we all are well aware the fire service is fast paced and ever-changing.  We know from the first day in to embrace change and evolution, from our equipment to firefighting techniques and even to the operations of the departments themselves.  Several years ago I approached ENO with a proposal to merge with Harvey-Brewers and form one Fire Department.  During this time, many people have asked why a merger is necessary.  My answer is that it isn’t necessary.  Progress doesn’t require necessity to work.  There are many more reasons to consider consolidation with economic instability, waning manpower concerns, equipment redundancies, spending reductions, etc. as opposed to reasons not to merge.  However, let me assure you all this merger is not happening due to personnel, operational or financial despair of either department.  Both departments were functioning satisfactorily on their own.  With that being said, I’d like to take a moment to personally and publicly thank Doug Redden for the outstanding job he has done with ENO over the past several years.  Doug, as well as Jonathan Smith, will both represent the West Marshall Fire Department well as Assistant Chiefs. 

We will continue use of the “8” series of unit numbers and will discontinue use of the “12” series.  Due to the number of vehicles, there will be some changes in our truck numbering to accommodate.  As far as responses, all automatic mutual aid agreements still exist and no substantial changes should be noticed.  We will still depend on our neighboring departments for mutual aid as we always have, and hopefully this will blossom new opportunities for collaborative training efforts and improved operational relationships. 

We feel that this is a wonderful opportunity for us to grow as a Fire Department and continue to provide the level of service that our taxpayers deserve, while simultaneously reducing redundancies and streamlining operations.